The Women’s Roles in “A Doll’s House” by "wishin"

The Women’s Roles in “A Doll’s House”

The importance of knowing what people can or cannot do in society is a controversial topic that has its beginnings from the dawn of man. Defined roles of women constantly change according to the dictates of society. Most of the time society likes to compartmentalize people according to their gender. In the world, essential family roles have been defined by society, particularly a wife and mother’s role. The novel, “A Doll's House” by Henrik Ibsen shows the sacrifices of women to protect their families. The name, “A Doll's House” defines the house as a place to play with toys. It shows us that the role of a woman in society is considered a thankless role. Throughout the book, we come to understand that the woman, Nora, initially seems silly, but along the way we come to see her as an intelligent, smart, independent woman. “A Doll’s House,” dives into the concept of women’s roles in marriage and society.  These two institutions place certain expectations upon women which cause unnecessary burdens and guilt. Societal roles and expectations of women include, but are not limited to issues of sacrifice, trust, and control.

In the “Doll’s House Story,” Nora is the main character and she is a mother of three children. She is married to Torvald. They are barely coming out of financial hardship when the husband, Torvald gets sick. "It was necessary he should have no idea what a dangerous condition he was in. It was to me that the doctors came and said that his life was in danger." (1.193)  To get better, he needs to go on vacation and spend a long time in the sun. They had a long trip to Italy. In this section of the story, Ibsen identifies the personal characteristics of each character. Furthermore, the story mentions that Torvald gets angry when Nora mentions about a loan for which they can apply. Toward to end of the story Torvald ungrateful for Nora after he found out that Nora’s forgery of her father’s signature to get the money that she uses to take Torvald to Italy. First one to find out about the Nora’s forgery of her father’s signature is Krogstad he was a low level of bank employer under Torvald. In the story Torvald wants to fire him from his position in the bank and Krogstand asks Nora to tell to Torvald not to fire him from the bank. When Nora refuses the Krogstand bring up Nora’s forgery of her father’s signature and Krogstad blackmails Nora he going to take action to what she did and it will bring shame and conflict in her marriage. In this scenario, she tries her best to hide the crime she did from Torvald. In the begin of the story Krogstand character was very cowardly and selfish but towards to end of the story Krogstand is a sympathetic and merciful character.        

In the story, Ibsen shows that sacrifices are made by all women in different classes of society. First, Nora, the main character of the story sacrifices her integrity. She secretly takes out a loan without Torvald’s knowledge because Torvald is a person who does not like the idea of accepting a loan. Moreover, in the novel’s period, women are not allowed to get a loan without permission from her husband. She couldn’t even pay that loan off because Torvald will not be happy to find out because he doesn’t want to know that Nora saved his life. This shows that even though society does not allow women to have equal rights, they play a important role in the family. Nora does more than what rules and laws allow by making make for their families. Decisions to help the family. This is a good example of the sacrifice of women and issues of control.

In this scenario, Nora shows her love to her family especially when she tries to save her husband’s life by risking her own life. This shows that problems cannot be solved because of the limits society places upon women. This shows how women sacrifice their happiness to save their families.  Traditionally, society dictates that the husband is the dominant partner in marriage. The story of the “Dollhouse” illustrates what the dominant partner, brings to a marriage. Torvald always tries to put down Nora for her decisions. This shows that he has to control and places demands on Nora’s life. This show the relationship between the Nora and husband is not very good.

Finally, Nora’s desire to leave her family because of the hardship she had to face in her marriage required the sacrifice of her Three children. She felt that she was trapped in the house. Her husband did not treat her as a wife, but he treated her like a doll. He could not forgive her decisions she made to save his life. Torvald thinks that she needs to stay in his home because he thinks that a house needs to have a wife and mother. All these things made her think that she would find herself if she left her house or family. Near the close of the story, Nora says to husband “Our home has been nothing but a playroom. I have been your doll-wife, just as at home. I was papa's doll-child, and here the children have been my dolls.” Act 3 Nora feels like an object in her house similar to a puppet and decides to kill herself but better choose to leave her three children and her husband. Because of the way feels at home she regrets the integrity that she sacrificed. She thinks that being independent brings control back to her life. Before this, she felt she is guilty what she has done, and now she felt that she gave up a big burden on her life. Furthermore, when it comes to leaving the children, she did not feel guilty because the nanny has been closer to her children.

Nora’s childhood friend Miss Linde even though she is born in the same place they had different economic level. Nora was born into a wealthy family, and she had an easy life, but Miss Linde was born in a poor family which she had to take care of her sick mother and her two brothers. She falls love with Krogstad, but she had to sacrifice her happiness and get married to a rich man. Ibsen is trying to show that it is harder for a woman to be independent. Old society did not allow women to make money or apply for a loan by them self without approved of a man this led woman to sacrifice their all just to find ways to get money. Another Point of view the Ibsen trying point out is Nora born in a wealthy family, and she had the care of the father, and she is very grateful for him, and also she mentions subservient in her life.  "Tell me what to do, keep me right - as you always do" Act 2. On the other hand, Miss Linde was born in a poor family, and her father was passed away when she was a child. But with a society which was they in Miss Linde does not seems to be trapped because in her house or know ones saying what she has to do. This shows how women sacrifice their life’s by choosing between poor or the freedom.  "Without work, I couldn't live. All my life I have worked, for as long as I can remember; that has always been my one great joy. But now I'm completely alone in the world, and feeling empty and forlorn. There's no pleasure in working only for yourself. Nils, give me somebody and something to work for" Act 3 Miss Linde. In conclusion, this shows ether way poor or rich woman have to sacrifice something to sacrifice.

Throughout the story, there is another character that Ibsen is trying to show is the Doll’s House nanny the Anne-Marie. Nora’s father offered her a nursing job in Nora’s house she been a nurse to both to Nora and Nora’s children. She forced to give up her daughter and work in Nora’s house, and she is a good example of that had done anything to survive. This is another point of view of the sacrifice of the woman. Which she had to give up her true love and do what others say but she was a great mother to Nora’s children that Nora had great faith on her that she will be a great mother for her children.   

 Women perceived carry unnecessary burdens because of society’s perceived view of their roles in the world. Even today, women still fight for equality and empowerment. A woman can be shackled by the belief that they are the weaker sex. They are not put in positions of power or decision making. They still fight for equal pay. Just as Nora, women can be oppressed by laws or the lack of laws, that will give them the ability to act in confidence, to keep their integrity and to have still their wants and needs met. They will not need to sacrifice, given the power to act. 

According to the article “A Comparative Study of Ibsen’s A Doll’s House” by I. Kanaga Priya mention “Woman is always depicted as secondary to man. She does not exist as an entity by herself but as the “other.” Gender relation is discussed through the portrayal of the struggle of ideological power between the men and the women.” This giving evidence how Nora felt after she left home and starting her life as independent women she mentioning that she felt giving up a burden that was carrying.